Synthetic study of fomitellic acids: construction of the AB ring moiety

Stereocontrolled synthesis of a fully functionalized AB ring moiety of fomitellic acids was accomplished. The tricyclic skeleton was stereoselectively constructed by means of titanium(III)-mediated radical cascade cyclization of epoxypolyene. The stereochemistry at C1 and C3 was controlled by a vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction and a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, respectively.